All upcoming Philosophy & Religion programs

Men of Irish heritage played crucial roles in fighting the American Revolution. Their numbers included generals, thousands of enlisted men, and even spies—notably Hercules Mulligan, a major character in the musical Hamilton. Historian Richard Bell explores the Revolution from the perspective of the Irish and their descendants in America as he reconstructs the history of English and Irish antagonism; examines the role of Roman Catholic faith in decisions about loyalty and affiliation; and surveys the political and economic impact of the American Revolution on Ireland itself.

Cave temples at sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, and Badami are notable not just for their antiquity and religious significance but also for the ingenious, sophisticated techniques used to excavate them from the sides of mountains. Art historian Robert DeCaroli examines the history of these Jain, Buddhist, Hindu, and Ajivika temples and monasteries, how they were made, and how they are being protected today. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are three influential philosophers whose ideas have significantly shaped political theory and the understanding of the social contract. In a fall series, join Georgetown professor Joseph Hartman as he explores these thinkers who offered distinct perspectives on the nature of human beings, the origins of political authority, and the formation of societies. This session focuses on Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

From sleigh bells and sugarplums to the mystical beauties of the Nativity, every December is alive with the music of Christmas. Lecturer and concert pianist Rachel Franklin revisits this most beloved seasonal repertory, hand-picking selections that explore how classical Western composers created a canon of both secular and sacred experiences that are now deeply rooted in our collective seasonal expectations.

The most notorious murder of the Middle Ages took place in Canterbury Cathedral, where Archbishop Thomas Becket was killed by four knights of King Henry II in December 1170. Historian Jennifer Paxton explores how the archbishop fell afoul of his king for both personal and political reasons; ignited a political dispute that convulsed church and state for almost a decade; and why Becket’s violent death turned him from a lightning rod for controversy into the most important saint in Europe.

Art historian Sophia D’Addio of Columbia University follows up her 2023 exploration of Italian cathedrals and basilicas in several major cities by going off the beaten path. In a splendidly illustrated full-day seminar, she focuses on four sites of great importance located in the regions of Umbria, Emilia-Romagna, and Le Marche: the churches of Assisi, Orvieto, Parma, and Loreto, which represent some of Italy’s greatest repositories of sacred art. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)

Should we bring new humans into the world? Or would it be better off without us? It’s harder than ever to watch TV or scroll social media without contemplating these questions, says philosopher Todd May. Drawing from his book Should We Go Extinct? A Philosophical Dilemma for Our Unbearable Times, he discusses reasons for and against the continuation of our species: whether the positive and negative tallies of the human ledger are comparable and what conclusions we might draw about ourselves and our future—or lack thereof.

Does free-market capitalism promote economic growth at the expense of virtue and happiness? Steven M. Emmanuel, chair of the philosophy department at Virginia Wesleyan University, examines texts in the canonical literature of Buddhism that describe an ennobling form of economic activity that is compatible with moral and spiritual growth and promotes the conditions for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy society.

Behind the architectural splendor and rich cultural tapestry of Venice lies a deeply spiritual heritage, embodied by the saints whom its residents have venerated for centuries­. Their remains and relics were believed to possess spiritual significance and carry political, economic, and diplomatic influence. Historian Dennis Romano explores the crucial roles of the Virgin Mary, Saint Mark, and Saint Nicholas in shaping Venice’s identity, highlighting the magnificent churches, paintings, and sculptures commissioned in their honor. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the world’s most beloved sacred texts. Graham M. Schweig, a professor of religion and translator of the Bhagavad Gita, illuminates some of the exquisite passages in this Hindu philosophical poem and examines their rich narrative context. He also reveals how the voice of wisdom and compassion in a work created around the 2nd century speaks to the challenges of the modern world.